Safety apparatus



' Sept 22, 1936. y 1 H. LoYD 2,055,383'

SAFETY APPARATUS Filed sept. 1s, 1955v 3 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 22, 1936. 1 H. LOYD 2,055,383

\ SAFETY APPARATUS4 Filed Sept. l5, 1935 3 Sheets-Shes?l 2 L'ieuirzanllolasonlay Sepnzz, 1936. y L. H. LOYD y2,055,383

. SAFETY APPUFLMTIIJSV Filed sept. 13, 1955 3 sheets-sheet 5 Patented Sept. 22, 1936 SAFETY APPARATUS Lieutenant Hobson Loyd, Curtisville,` Pa., as- I signor of one-half to Nichola C. Petco, Curtisville, Pa.

Application vSeptember 13,` 1935, Serial No. 40,498

Claims. (Cl. 114-44) This invention. relates to a safety apparatus for marine Vessels and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to for raising a sunken I 5 vessel tothe Water level.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to for expeditiously raising a vessel, in which the apparatus is installed as a permanent part thereof, from a sunken position to the water level.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to including means for indicating the approximate point where a vessel sinks, as well as acting as an airr intake for a compressor on the vessel, and with the compressor functioning for supplying air to receivers carried by the vessel to providegbuoyant lifting elements or pontoons acting to raise the vessel from its submerged position.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus for the purpose referred to which is strong, durable, readily installed with respect to a vessel to form a permanent part of the latter, conveniently thrown into operation for the purpose of raising the vessel when submerged and thoroughly eflicient in its use.

` With the foregoing and other objectsin View the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more speciiically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of theA invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a Vessel, broken away, showing the installation therewith of the safety apparatus in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View illustrating the form of the lifting elements or pontoons employed. The element is shown in active position and its relation to one of the sides of the vessel,

Figure 3 isa fragmentary view in side elevation of the inner section of the lifting elementso pontoons,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the outer sectio of the lifting elements or pontoons,`

Figure 5V is a vertical sectional view of the buoyant combined. signalling: and` air intake element and the housing for the latter. The signalling and air intake element is illustrated as being projected from the vessel, and

Figure, 6 is a section on line 6--6, Figure 5. Referring to the drawings, 'l generally indicates the simulation of a vessel which is submerged in a body of water. The water level is designated 8. The sides of vessel I are indicated at 9, ID. Theupper and lowerv decks of the vessel are designated II, I2 respectively. lo Supported from the deck I 2 is an air compressor I 3, a winding drum I4 and a compressed air storage tank Illa. Leading from the compressor I3 to one end of the tank IIIEL is a compressed air supply Ide` is a compressed air discharge line I6 provided with a cutoff I 6a. Communicating withcompressor I3 is an air feed line I1 in the form of arubber hose of the desired length which is normally wound on drum I4. The compressor may be operatedfrom an electric motor, not shown. 'I'he vessel may be provided with a storage battery, not shown, connected with the motor and it may also be supplied with a generator, not shown, connected with the battery. l 25 Each side of the vessel, at the desired distance above the deck I2, is formed with a series of spaced parallel openings transversely thereof and of circular cross section. The number of openings of each series` may be as desired. With reference 30 to Figure 2, one of said openings is illustrated and indicated at IB. The opening I8 is shown., by way of example, in the side Ill.. The outer end of. the .Wall of opening I8 is rabbeted, as at I9, to form an annular seat 29 and an annular enclosing wall 35 2l for seat 29. The vessel side I0 is shown as being formedwith an upper and alower socket 22', 23 respectively arranged in parallelism and opening at the inner face of such side- I 0. The sockets 22, `23 are arranged in proximity to the opening o I8. The bases of the sockets are designated 24. Leading from the bases of the sockets and opening into the rabbet I9 are guide channels 25, 26 of less diameter than that of the sockets 22, 23. There will be associated with each of the open- 45 ings in each of the sides 9, Hl of the vesselv 'l a pair o-f sockets and a pair of guide channels of the arrangement such as shown in `Figure 2.

There is associated with each opening I8 a sectional lifting `element or pontoon indicated gen- 5 erally at 2'I. The elements 2'I are of like construction and each consists of a stationary outer' section 28and a spring controlled oppositely slidable inner section 29 which is arranged concentrically to section 28. Thel latter consists of a cylindrical 55 line I5. Extendingffrom the other end of tank I5 body portion 38 open at each end and formed at its inner end 3| with an outwardly directed annular flange 32. The outer end 33 of body portion V 38 is provided with an inwardly extending an- 35 which opens into the body portion 30.

Vllange 32 is formed with a pair of spaced parallel nular flange 34 formed with an annular groove The apertured. lugs 36. Mounted against the inner end edge of body portion 39 and the flange 32 is a sealing gasket 31. The inner end 3| of body portion'30 is closed by a head member 38 of dome-shape cross section and which is formed lwith an annular ange 39 seating against gasket 31. The flange 39 is formed with a notch 40 which opposes the space between the lugs 36 when member 38 is arranged to close the inner end of body portion 30. 32, as at 4|. Pivotally connected to the lugs 36, as at 42, is a clamping bolt 43 which associates with a clamping nut 44Afor tightly binding flange "39, againstgasket 31 and for tightly bindingV the latter against flange 32 to form an air tight` seal when member 38 closes the inner end of body portion'38. "Anchored to and opening into the member 3B i'sa compressed air intake pipe 45 provided with a gauge 46. The member 38 carries an outwardly directed annular boss 41 which encompasses pipe 45 and has connected thereto a sealing medium 48 which surrounds pipe 45. The member 38 has an opening 49 which registers with the boss 41 and receives the discharge end of pipe 45. Extendingfrom the inner face of mempber 38, Vvadjacent opening 49, is a coupling eye l5ll. Mounted inthe groove 35 and extending bey yond the free edge of ange 34 is a resilient sealing gasket 5|. The section28 is fixedly secured to an'dextends inwardly from the inner end of the wallA of opening 8.

Thesection 29 consists of a cylindrical body portion 52 open at its inner end and closed at its outer'end by an integral circular head 53 of 'greater diameter than that of body portion 52. The head 53 is of greater'thickness than the body of the portion 52, is of dome-shape contour in cross sectionjand is oppositely disposed relative tovhead member 38. The head 53 is disposed concentrically to body portion'52 and formed with a pair'of diametrically disposed oppositely extending apertured lugs 5 4, 55. The inner end'of body portion 52 is formed with ianvoutwardly extending annular flange 56 formed Withpan annular `groove 51 which opens at the outer. edge of the flange. The diameter of body portion' 52 is materially less than that of body portion3r of section l28. Formed integral with the `inner Vface of body portion 52 between yits vertical median and inner end isa spider V58 Vcarrying centrally .thereofY a coupling eye '59. Anchored to the'eyes 58, 59 are the ends of a coiled controlling spring 68 for section 29. Mounted in and extended from the groove 51/ is Ya resilient waterV sealing gasket 6|. The gasket- 5I 'encompasses' and permanently ybears against the outer periphery of body portion 52. The gasket 6|V permanently bears 'against the inner face of body portion 39. The

latter' hasfints outer end flush with theV seat 29. Ancho'redA at their outer ends to the lugs 54, arelthefcombine'd guide and stop elements 62, 63espective'ly operating in the channels 25, 26

Arespectively and inthe sockets 22, 23 respective- The flange 39 is hinged to flange The piston heads coact with the bases 24 of the sockets for limiting the outward shift of the rods 64 and section 29.

Normally, the section 29 is drawn into section 28 by spring 60, and when so positioned the head 53 is arranged against seat 29 and encompassed by wall 2|. The normal position of elements 62, 63 is within a pair of sockets and a pair of guide channels and with the piston heads 65 thereof at the mouths of the sockets. On the application of compressed air to an element 21 the section 29 is extended outwardly with respect to section 28 and against the action of spring 68. The sections 28, 29 are completely lled with compressed air which provides the element 21 with a lifting function.

The discharge line i6 opens into a supply line 61 which is common to the intake pipes 45 of the elements 21 whereby they are substantially simultaneously completely filled with compressed air so that they will possess a lifting function to raise the sunken vessel to the Water level. Preferably, the tank Ma will contain a body of compressed air sucient for completely filling the elements 21, however, the tank |49, when opened for discharge therefrom, is supplied with compressed air from the-compressor, as the latter will be thrown into operation at this time. The feed for the compressor is had through the line |1. V 'i The apparatus includes a buoyant, projectable, combined signalling and air intake element 68 of which the line I1 forms a part. The element 68 is normally housed within and projectable from the vessel. The element 68 includes a cylinder 69 open at itstop andl having its bottom 10 formed with an axial opening Y1| anda depending collar 12 registering with the wall of opening 1|. The top of cylinder 69 is provided with'a laterally extending annular ange 13. Detachably secured to flange -813 isa closure-'14 formed with a depending closed bottom Vtubular member 15V which provides a socket-16. The upper end of memberV 15 registers with an opening 16a.

A vertical tubular extension /11 registers with opening 16a.' The latter and extension 11 forms a continuation of socket 16. The upper end of extension 11 is normally'closed by a hinged cap 18. The closure 14 is. provided axially thereof with anopening 19 having a beveled wall which constitutes Va valve seat. Depending from closure 14 is aA coupling sleeve 86v of greater diameter than and surrounding opening 19. Secured upon closure 14 are signals 8| in the form of Velectric lamps. Arranged between the lamps 8| is a hollow, spherical guide 82 havingits body formed with Yapertures 83 and 'a passage 84 which aligns with one of the, apertures 83. The guide 82 is provided with a depending collar 85 which is integral with closure 14 and registers with opening 19. Integral with the topof guide 82 is a cage 86 for a oat 81 on the upper end of a valve stem 88. The latter extends through the guide 82 and opening 19-into sleeve v8|] and carries on its lower end a valve 89 which coacts k with the seat formedby the wall of opening 19 to close the latter fora purpose to be Vreferred to. Supported in a bracket 99 within the cylinder 69 is va normally 'de-energized magnet 9| which,

when energized, withdraws a bolt 92 from lock- .of magnet 9.4. :and normally extends diametrically .of esocket 16 to hold the springv contracted. The cap 1.8 closes .extension 11 to prevent lentrance of water to the latter and includes .an'in- `cl-ined arm 138a arranged, when the .cap is .closed in the path of .a Vshifter 19a .carried by a oat controlled vertically movable rod 810a operating through closure 14 and a `vertical .guide mbe I.

When the element 68 is projected upwardly, the iloat'Qa on' rod .80 holds the rodl88 in' an elevated position with 'the shifter 119e above the arm 18a; The armature `of the magnet `9i 'lis extended,

'as ,atlIfL and arranged below the lowerend of `rod a.. vvWhen magnet 0I is' energized `the rod afis `attracted to rthe extended portion lll1l of the armature whereby a' rod "80a is vlowined movingrthe shifter e in a direction to :engage arm '18a and shift l'the `.cap 18 to open position, as

shownin full lines, Figure 5. `Circuit 4connections for the `magnet 9| are indicatedat 91. Circuit connections for the lamp are'designated 198.1' The line I1 is normally wound on drum A1:4 and `winds therefrom when the element 68 is `projected.v The line extends through opening 10 in the bottom of cylinder 60 and has'its :upper'end `connected to and opens intosleeve d0. C

The apparatus includes a combined `housing and 'projecting element 09 furthe element 68. The element 99 comprises vertical'cylinder |00 having its bottom formed with an axial opening IDI and a depending collar |02 surrounding the latter. The cylinder |00 is open at its upper end. The deck 8 is formed with an opening |03 to the wall of which is anchored the upper end of cylinder |00. A spring controlled cover |04, hinged to deck 8, is provided for normally closing the upper end of the cylinder I00.- The cover is hinged to deck 8, as at |05, and has an upstanding lip |06 engageable by a pivoted latch |06a for releasably retaining the cover I 04 in position to close the upper end of` cylinder I 00. The latch |06a is pivoted, as at |01, to deck 8 and carries a depending operating handle |08 which passes through an opening |09 in deck 8. Suitable resilient sealing means is arranged in opening |09 and through which passes handle |08. Pivotally connected to the cover |04, as at ||0, is a spring controlled pull member I I for quickly pulling cover |04 open when the latch IIlEiL is moved to release the cover.` The member includes a curved outer part ||2 and a straight inner part ||3. The member passes through an opening I|4 formed in deck 8. Suitable resilient sealing means is arranged in opening ||4 and through which passes the member I I I. Anchored at its lower end, as at 6 with the vessel is a controlling spring ||1 for member II The lower end of part |I3 of member is connected to the upper end of spring II1, as at IIB. The cover |04 is shifted to closing position relative to cylinder |00 and latched in such position against the action of spring I I1. Arranged within the cylinder |00 is a set of spaced parallel expelling springs ||9 for the element 68. The springs H9 are anchored at their lower ends, as at |20, to the upper face of the bottom of cylinder |00. The upper ends of springs ||9 are anchored, as at |2|, to the lower face of a follower plate |22 formed with an axial opening |23. The line |1 passes through the opening I 0| in the bottom of cylinder |00 and the opening |23- '1 .ina-the foiiower'plate 122. Thesniormal position of element168 is housed within cylinder |00 fagainst theaction `of `the springs IIS.. When the .leienientr is housed in cylinder I0!) it bearsnon "they upper `faceof follower plate l|22 and :is releasably confined in such position, against'ithe action of :springs i |9,`by the cover |04 whenv the latter is latched. When element lI is projected explied from cylinder '|00 the line i1 winds `oErii-um-M, 1

' Connected to the collars l12, :|02 and encompa'ssingthe line Illare packing means |24, .1225 respectively to provide a water `tight joint. illnterposed between ange 13 and closure 14 is a sealing gasketV `125i; f

' The circuit connections 98 extend `through line I1 to `compressor' I3 'and from the latter to a sourceofelectrical energy such as a battery or generator.

The flanges 34,56 fcoact to provide a lock joint for thelsections Jof a'lif-tingelernent. Ihe longer Ythe `section -29 of a lifting element, the longer the 'flock jointV will befor the purpose of sustaining section 29 when projected :relative .to section 2-8.

'When lelement 68 is projected from element 99 the iloat lvvillprovide for the "seating `of valve 189 kwhereby line I1 will beshut off `to the entrance fofwater.. *water lev-eLrthe valve 89 will automatically open toqpermit line VI1 to feedair Ito the compressor. At this` point nthe circuit for the ,lamps will `be closed whereby the signals will be made active, magnet 8| energized and the bolt 92 shifted to release the spring 93 to provide for the projecting of the antenna to above the lamps. In the meantime, the line I6 will have been opened and the compressed air supplied to the lifting elements. If the compressed air from the tank is not suflicient to completely ll the lifting elements to project the sections 29 of these latter, the compressor will be thrown into operation to supply the necessary additional compressed air. When the sections 29 of the lifting elements have been extended to their outermost position, the lifting elements will then act to raise the submerged or sunken vessel to the water level.

What I claim is:

1. In a safety apparatus for a marine vessel, the combination with the hull of the vessel provided transversely of each side thereof with a series of inwardly opening sockets, outwardly opening channels leading from and of reduced diameter relative to the bases of the sockets and openings disposed in juxtaposition to the sockets and channels, of an extendible compressed air receiving lifting element mounted in each opening and disposed inwardly and outwardly relative thereto, said element formed of a. iixed closed inner end annular outer section and a closed outer end extendible inner section arranged concentrically to the outer section, said inner sections having `their outer ends provided with laterally extending means for closing the outer ends of the outer sections and the outer ends of said openings and channels when the inner sections are in non-extended position, said outer sections being provided with compressed air intakes at their inner ends, a controlling spring for the inner section arranged within and anchored to the outer and inner sections, piston rods providing guides slidably mounted in said sockets and channels and connected at their outer ends to the lateral means on the inner sections, and pistons constituting stops mounted in said sockets and connected to the inner ends of said rods.

When `element 6B extends above Vthe 1 supply means leading from the compressor and common to said intakes,'a Winding drum; a n'ory A2'. The invention'as set forth invclaim-l having respectively the' :controlling springs forY the extendible'inner sections of saidelements disposed axially of thev latter, the. inner sections of said.

elements provided'therein and intermediate their ends with fixed spiders, the inner ends-of the controlling springs anchoredto the inner ends ofthe xedsection's of said elements, and the outer ends Vw.ofthe controlling springs anchored to said spiders.

Y 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1having the outer end ofthe inner face of the fixed outer section and the-inner end ofy the outer face of the inner Yextendiblesection o'f each element Vrformedwith coacting parts to provide a lockfjoint for the sections when extended..V 1 Y 4.- In a safety apparatus for a marine vessel, .spaced compressed air receiving. sectional lifting velements of pontoon-like form adapted to Ybe mounted in and including spring controlled sections 'for extending from thel sides of the-vessel on the application of compressed air to said elements,

' each of said elements provided with acompressed airintake at its Vinner end and a lock joint'for its Vsections when ther inner sections 'are extended, an air compressor,` a controllable compressed air mally confined spring controlled projectable "buoyant'air Vfeed structure for projection from the vessel and including an elongated'exiblevalve vlcontrolled air supply conducting lineextended air intake.v

f moss-,ass

:1f-from the-g inner end.' of saidstructure, saidline v-being Wound intermediate its ends on said drum 1 and having its inner end permanently communieating with thecompressor, and means for releasing 4said-structure from its confined position toA provide forthe automatic projecting of said struc- `ture toa position to oat at Water level for supplying airto the compressor, said. line winding 01T said drum on the release of said structure.

J5. Ina safety apparatus for a marine vessel,V

a compressed air-receiving lifting element of pontoon-like formr adapted to be mounted in the side ofthe vesseland formed of a fixed annular outer `section having alclosed inner Vendv and an extendible inner section arranged concentri'cally to the 1 outer section and having a closed outer end, the outer endrof the inner face of the outer section -and the inner end of the kouter face of the inner `section having coacting means to provide a lock joint for said sections when the inner section is extended, each of said means including a resilient end'anchored to said spider, and said outer section having its inner end provided with a compressed LIEUTENAN T HOBSON LOYD. 

